Worst TV ads of 2010, and one winner

Some of these, such as the Axe one (which I’d never seen but apparently runs in movie theaters), really are terrible. Ditto that Dallas guy. But some of the others actually are among my favorites of the year.

Take, for example, the case of Maxwell the Pig, which may well be my No. 1 favorite. I’ll give you a minute to get acquainted with Maxwell:

Now maybe the “weeeeeee” would get on some grump’s nerves, but not mine. The pig is not only cute as a bug but utterly joyous. He’s got his pinwheels, he’s got his head out the window. He is, to use the unfortunate parlance of the day, in the moment. The weary mother and her disaffected kid, on the other hand, are pills. With his pleasant “Thanks, Mrs. A!” Maxwell even demonstrates good manners. The mom snaps at him and he doesn’t even notice.

(The ad is one from a series of non-gecko winners from Geico, including the “jackwagon” one and the wood-chucking woodchucks.)

I think one of my New Year’s resolutions is to be a bit more like Maxwell. Weee!

Those talking babies on the eTrade commercials have always creeped me out. Next I expected to see a baby with a glass of scotch in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Then along came the smoking toddler video …

That Planters Peanuts ad with the nutcracker showing up to the Xmas party was oddly kinda cute.

One thing nagging at me for years but just now hit me is these Lexus ads where the spouse is suprised on Xmas morning by a brand new Lexus:

Check out the homes these people live in—either outside or inside they’re looking like someone’s making big $$$! Each and every one of them have such spacious cribs that the damned car can fit right into a room with 30 yards of space to spare. And these people we’re supposed to be happy for that they got a Lexus?!

With the neighborhoods these folks live in, I’m wondering why the husband didn’t ask for a Bentley instead.

Glad some actually enjoys commercials. Guess it must be widespread though because of all the play the ones aired during the Super Bowl game each year get in the press. Me when ever ANY commercial comes on I can’t reach for the mute button soon enough.

A related question, does anyone here actually thing America’s funniest Videos are actual funny these days? I used to but now that all of them are along the lines of someone falling down a flight of stairs I’ll pass.

I love the Etrade babies and the jackwagon commercials. Also like the baby zooming across country to the tune of “I got a brand new pair of roller skates”. At the top of my “worst” list would have to be each and every one of the Viagra/Cialas commercials. (now running during the dinner hour, no less). please, someone make it stop.

Mini pet giraffe kisses does it for me every time. Russian billionaires know how to live.

Bingo. And that commercial has so many little things you don’t notice on the first watch, like actual dogs playing poker in the background, or the photo on the side table of the Russian with the World Cup.

I love that commercial with the Russian billionaire (DirecTV). Since I do a decent Ukraine accent my new out of the blue phrase has been, “I jump in eet.” I’ve also told people, “Nice peckige,” and followed it with a maniacal laugh.

Also good is R. Lee Ermey, ya jackwagon! At the end, when he beans the “patient” with the tissue box and mutters, “You make me sick” is classic.

I have a loathing for all things (and commercials) Axe. First there was the “If you use Axe body spray girls will tackle you and rip your clothes off” commercials. Gee, turn that around and make guys doing that to girls and people would be screaming that Axe endorses rape. The ball cleaning commercial barely palatable, but that’s only because I’ve always found Jaime Pressly stunning.

The “jackwagon” one gets me EVERY time- my favorite part is when he tells him to go to namby pamby land to pick up some confidence or something like that- then instead of handing him tissues, throws them across the room- priceless…I don’t remember seeing the pig going wee wee wee all the way home, but that is very cute!